Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1887-07-13

that set us at ease. The day after her ar
rival, she entertained US for hours with
accounts OF her former gloiies. She said
that when she went TO Providence In her
early married life, she wore a silk dress
that lay on the ground more than yard.
and when she walked on the street she had
little negro boy 10 follow behind her and
carry her train. She said that the Governor
himself once sent her basket OF cham
payne when she was going TO entertain
some distinguished guests at dinner, and at
convention held In Providence, when she
entered late, moro than twenty gentlemen
sprang up to offer her a seat.
"Oh, yes, indeed, girlsr' she said, smil-
ing, 81 was at that time called the belle of
the city, and more than one Of the English
nobility has visited at my house. / may
even tell you privately now, though IL was
then state secret, that royalty in disguise
once found home with your uncle and
me-"
"Was IL the Dauphinw asked, eagerly
for had just been reading French history.
"Not q word morel Not word more ~
she said meaningly, and then drifted of
into description Of her curtains, her paint
ings, and her furniture and china. These
things, as she explained, the nephews OF
her husband had taken from her after his
death "A little tricky, those Pennimans ~
she added, with a sober shake OF her head
We were all very much interested in
these recitals. Laura especially listened,
with wide eyes and glowing cheeks, declar-
ing it was better than fairy tale.
"Do you believe all she saysi" asked
Jean when we presently went out to pre-
pare tray OF sweet cakes and chocolate
"Of course" she said, rather shortly.
"You know we have always heard that she
was wealthy, and very fond of gay society"
She was sociable still, for she soon began
to come into the kitchen to talk while was
cooking, and If any Of our friends called,
Aunt Penniman never failed to be In the
room. She would seat herself in the big
rocking-chair when Doctor Harry came to
see Jean, and would beam upon them the
whole evening, unless they went out to
walk. Some days, however, she would
seem a little preoccupied and would shut
herself up for hours in her room, explain
ing afterward that she had been Cooking
through her trunks" We used to wonder
what there was in those six trunks, and we
had visions Of rich old laces, grapes and
brocades. We meant, if we should ever be
invited to fancy dress ball, to borrow our
costumes from Aunt Penniman.
April was melting into May, and the
leaves were we'll out on the trees, when one
mild morning Laura found Aunt Penniman
on the back porch, watching two little
brown birds over by the fence.
"Seew she said, delightedly; "there are
two little wrens that used to be in our yard
in Providence. They have followed me
here"
Laura laughed and thought it very
pretty fancy; but when later on friend
brought her some trailing arbutus, aud she
ran upstairs to get her green Japanese
bowl, to set in the parlor for the flowers
Aunt Penniman made vigorous opposition.
mo, no, child" she said. II have had
that bowl for forty years, and never let any
one touch 1t but myself, so 1t should not get
broken. Ask your mother for some COM
mon vase-really, child, can not let you
take my how'll"
Laura thought she was Joking but the old
lady was in serious earnest, and when
explained to her that myself bought it for
Laura the last Christmas, she paid no at
tention, but held it the tighter and seemed
to be growing nervous.
So went to mother and told her. Mother
said, quietly:
"She Is getting little childish, think.
Old people often do. l wouldn't seem to
notice it; she will forget 1t by tomorrow.
1t was when she had been with us about
six weeks, and had become quite one Of the
family, that one afternoon, when Jean and
Laura were both out coaxed mother to
take little walk with me in the sunshine.
Aunt Penniman urged our going, and said
she would keep house till we returned. We
were absent less than an hour, but when
we came back we found every article in the
parlor moved and changed about so that
we hardly knew the room. Aunt Penni-
man sat on the sofa, tanning herself and
smiling.
~ thought would fix the room up" she
said, complacently, "because was expect
ing call from my beau; but he did not
come after ALL
ats just little eccentrcity," said Jean,
when she heard of il.
But Jean now began to study her 40
counts more than ever, and to look more
worried over them, for bills were running
up as they never did before. We felt bound
to consult Aunt Penniman's tastes, know
ing she had been used to good living, and
wye had not the money TO pay as we went.
She had told Jean that she had a certain
monthly income, besides a larger amount IN
dividends every quarter, and also said she
liked our home so well that she should pay
Jean hoped she would make monthly pay
ments, but as this had not been done, she
believed Aunt Penniman must be waiting
Ger the July dividends, and the question
was how to keep along till then with all our
expenses.
"Where can Aunt Penniman bein asked
mother as we met around the breakfast
table one morning 'She is usually the first
here. Run upstairs, Laura, and call her."
Laura obeyed, and after few moments
came back with an anxious face.
"Aunt Penniman doesn't feel we'll enough
to get up this morning." she said. '.She
would like to have me bring her something
by and by"
"Now send for Harry" said, glancing
at Jean.
"Certainly I will, IL necessary" she
replied, with dignity, and then went
up to see for herself She found
Aunt Penniman in bed, looking a
little strange because she hadn't her
foretop on, but otherwise quite natural,
not chilly, not feverish, not in pain, but per.
haps little weak. She consented cheer
fully to see doctor, and when Jean asked
if she could eat u slice Of toast, she said:
20, don't take any extra trouble, bring
me just what you have for yourselves"
brought her well-hlled tray, and she
ate all there was on 1t while was putting
the room in order; and then she asked for
another roll, and a second cup of coffee. /
brought these to her, and turned to arrange
the dressing table.
"Why, IL here isn't mothers shawl pin ~
1 exclaimed. "She has been looking every
where for it,"
"Don't touch that pin !" cried Aunt Penni-
man, sitting right up in bed my husband
gave me that pin when we were first married,
AND Il mas l4asssr Tor years only founc
1t day before yesterday"
left the pin on the table, and ran dowr
stairs to tell Jean she really had better
send for Harry, for feared Aunt Pennimar
was delirious. SO Harry came and made {
long professional call. He asked Aun
Penniman host Of questions, and told III
afterward he could discover mo ailment al
yet, but would call few times and Civ,
har q mild tonic Tho affair of tho min M